CHRIST CHURCH BRAUNTON, LOXHORE AND MARWOOD

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1 CHRIST CHURCH BRAUNTON, LOXHORE AND MARWOOD October 2016

2 Worship with us October Christ Church 9.45 am Morning Worship and Junior Church Sun 2nd Sun 9th Sun 16th Sun 23rd Sun 30th Rev. Marilyn Tricker Holy Communion Rev. Robert Manning Harvest Festival Rev. Richard Martin Rev. Don Macalister Worship Leaders Loxhore am Morning Worship Mr Peter Edwards Mr Guy Byham At Marwood 11am Rev. Robert Manning Holy Communion Mrs Jenny Newman/ Mrs Eff Poole Marwood am Morning Worship Mr Tom Harding LA Rev. Robert Manning MCC Harvest Service 11am Mr John Baxter Rev. Marilyn Tricker Holy Communion Wednesday am Service at Christ Church 5th 12th 19th 26th Rev. Sue Macbeth Worship Leaders Rev. Robert Manning Holy Communion Deacon Joan Cole 2

3 Minister s Message Dear Friends Despite the Indian summer we have enjoyed, the seasons are changing. As I type, Geese have made it to the Taw estuary and I heard their plaintive honks as they arrived. Year by year they make it to the same spot to winter before returning to the far North. While I wish them well, for these are the sounds of my childhood when I knew it was autumn, I wonder what happens to them if the land has altered since last year. Adapt and survive is a hard lesson to learn. Whether we are conscious of this or not, this is something we do and have done all our lives. Family, Church and work life alter as time passes. We draw on our strengths and our ability to adapt to change. The Geese that flew overhead today are not going to their feeding grounds simply to eat. They go to grow stronger and healthier, to prepare for the next season of new life in the birth of another generation. We too have that hope, to deepen our faith in God, renew our relationship with him through Jesus and to be upheld by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This year the President of the Methodist Conference has chosen the theme of holiness and justice which tackles our personal relationship with God head on. Do we really trust him? Can we be made holy through God's grace? The New Testament shows Jesus doing just that and the witness of the Early Church was that the Holy Spirit changed people and therefore communities. Holiness can lead to justice because it means a personal rightness with God through faith in Jesus and because it drives us to speak out. To live justly requires honest dealing with each other and concern for wider society. We must resist the creation of greater injustices. Every blessing Rev. Robert Manning Harvest Festival At our Harvest Festival Service on October 9th we would be grateful to receive 3

4 Tins- tomatoes, custard, rice pudding, baked beans, meat, fish, soup, fruit, pulses, cooking sauces Baking ingredients - dried fruit, baking powder, vanilla essence Dry goods - coffee, tea, cocoa, herbs, spices, rice, pasta, sugar, pot noodles, couscous Toiletries - shower gel, hand wash, deodorant, toilet rolls Washing items- non-bio washing powder, washing up liquid, kitchen rolls for Encompass South West and the Freedom Centre. Light up a life service -What's it all about? For many years the two Hospices serving us and our families in North Devon have helped Churches throughout the area to make special time each year to remember those we have lost through cancer. All of us either know someone with the illness or have lost loved ones to it. On December 5 th at 7pm I shall lead a service at Christ Church to give us time and space to honour those we have lost. In the lighting of candles and the illumination of the Christmas Tree we recall that Jesus brings light into darkness. Light that can never be put out and light which gladdens our hearts as we live our lives, remembering with gratitude those who have gone before us. This service is for us to take time to give thanks to God and to remember with thankful hearts that Jesus came to show us the way to eternal life. It isn't about fund-raising, although gifts to the Hospices may be made at the service. I shall be leading Light up a Life services at Marwood Methodist Church on 29 th November at 6.30pm and on 4 th December at Combe Martin at 6.30pm. These services are for us and those we love. Rev. Robert 4

5 Old Church Refurbishment Haggai 1: 4 Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your panelled houses while this house [the temple] lies desolate. Many people have said to me that I had a vision of what the hall could look like. Whilst that is true it is not the real story behind what happened this is it. I often stood in the hall and saw cobwebs, crumbling walls, paint some 25+ years old, a gas boiler and redundant pipework, generally very rundown and appearing unloved. Recently for a Bible study on Nehemiah I was taking I looked at the whole period of the Jews return from their captivity in Babylon. They went back initially with the grand idea of rebuilding the temple, but it got difficult and they seemed to concentrate on their own houses rather than God s. This passage came very vividly to my mind and the plan started to form. The plan started as a quick paint job including the old wood ceiling. However, I went to a meeting at Grosvenor Church and their suspended ceiling was lovely. There was the problem of the gallery initially it was to be a full height front but the idea of a suspended ceiling meant a smaller infill. At each step it was God s inspiration that moved the plan on. The Elders meeting liked the idea and there was a fund for redevelopment so costings were done. At the Church Meeting where the plan was first aired and passed, 20,000 was allocated for the work. Then came the planning and getting it done! Again God was in charge. Each of the tradesmen we used arrived on time; all cleared up after themselves and were finished on time. In fact the job was initially scheduled for 6 weeks and was done in 4 weeks a week before Mary had put in the diary to clean the chairs! The real crunch day for me was when I first put up the cross that Robert Hurley had given me earlier. That simple action made me realise the impact a small empty cross-shaped piece of wood could have. We now have a newly decorated room with super lighting and a smaller place to come and worship God on those cold winter days when the sanctuary can be like an ice-box. At each step God has led, it was His idea, 5

6 He brought the workers and has over-seen the finances (we are currently on budget and have half the cost granted to us by the URC and Methodists). All I have done is be the legs and voice to make it happen here. It is to God we should address our thanks and praise for bringing back to life the Old Church, to use for His glory. Guy Byham HOLIDAY AT HOME 2016 Holiday at Home (H@H) provides a one-day holiday at Christ Church for those of our members and friends who are no longer able to go away for a holiday or rarely leave their homes, or are of a certain age! It is a fun day, entirely free of charge, spent with friends and our volunteer helpers, and will include a hot lunch. TUESDAY 11 th OCTOBER is the date for our H@H this year and as the allday event follows the celebration of Harvest at Christ Church, the theme for the day is All Good Gifts Around Us. Invitations have been sent out, but if you have not received one, and would like to come, please get in touch with Monica Jolly (816484) or Rosemary Kerswell (815481). VOLUNTEER HELPERS individual letters have not been sent out this time, but we hope you will once again respond in good numbers. We need you to help make this a successful day and a happy experience for our guests. Please let Rosemary or Monica know as soon as possible. Thank you. H@H Team WEDNESDAY CLUB Our next get-together is on Wednesday 12 th October at 2.30pm and will be at the home of Margaret Nobes. All ladies are welcome to come along. Monica Jolly Margaret Nobes

7 Donations for the tombola will be greatly appreciated and can be left in the box in the vestibule. Any donations of plants or bric-a-brac can be brought to church the week before. Cakes can be taken to the Parish Hall on the day. Thank you for your support. Lorna Manning 7

8 SOCIAL AND OUTREACH GROUP (Barbara D, Monica, Sue, Lorna, Alison, Gordon, Robert) Saturday/Sunday 8 th /9th October is our Harvest Weekend. Saturday s harvest supper is at 6pm followed by a film night. Tickets 5 available from the S&O Group. There won t be a coffee morning in October as it is Harvest, but our November coffee morning is on Saturday 5 th November and will be for Encompass South West. We have coffee morning dates booked until next June so look out for details in future issues of Jubilate. Each will support a charity, either home or abroad. Our first walk in the New Year will be at Rock Park, followed by coffee at the Park Hotel. Meet in the church car park at 10am on Saturday 21 st January. Lorna Manning (S&O Group) WOMEN'S GUILD We have had a good start with 14 at the first meeting and hope a few more will make it in coming weeks. We have old friends and new to speak with us with a varied programme. During October we shall welcome Brenda Farley, Marilyn Tricker and Martin Reardon. At this point I would ask you to note that the meeting scheduled for the 11th October has had to be cancelled because there is a 'Holiday at Home' which we all enjoyed very much last year. However don't worry - Tony Coates who was due to take that meeting has agreed to come and visit us on the 14 February instead. Please let everyone know about this alteration.as soon as possible. Meantime, enjoy the sunshine, though not necessarily the heat and try to keep as well as possible. Margaret Watts 8

9 Ladies Prayer Group Our next meeting is on Thursday 6th October the venue tbc. Quiet Time Dear Lord, in this quietness, you are here. We close our eyes, open our ears and become aware of the peace. We leave the cares and concerns of our world, like baggage, at the door. We move deeper into the silence and we find we are not alone. We feel your presence with us. We know your peace. We adore you. Our world values what is busy and loud. We value your stillness, your calm, in our lives. Let it overwhelm us. Let it become a part of us and, in the midst of the calm, let us hear the soft whisper of your voice, as we worship you, our Lord and God. Amen Rosemary Kerswell Gregory Sargent, Local Preacher. Flower Rota for October 2016 October 2nd Lorna and Robert Manning 9th Nancy Gayes 16th 23rd 30th Liz Preece Margaret Wright Flower Fund Ann Williams Arrangements Distribution 2nd Sue Cresswell 9th Harvest 16th Jan Underhill 23rd Barbara Davidson 30th Monica Jolly Help is needed please I am now preparing the flower lists for next year. If you would like to continue giving in this way could you please contact me with your preferred date, as dates vary from year to year! Rosemary Kerswell 9

10 ACTION FOR CHILDREN In October those dedicated holders of Action for Children Lanterns will know that it s time for emptying them. Please let us have your lanterns and we will empty them for you and return them as soon as possible. If you do not yet have a lantern to place on your mantelpiece for those odds and ends of loose coins that we all seem to accumulate and which weigh so heavily in our pockets or handbags then we can provide an answer! The distinctive lanterns serve as a useful reminder of the good work that Action for Children does in caring for vulnerable children and young people and their families throughout the country. The charity aims to help to break through injustice, deprivation and inequality enabling the young people to achieve their full potential. If you are unable to bring your lantern to church on either a Sunday or Wednesday please let us know and we will arrange to collect. In the next few weeks we should be receiving examples of the Action for Children Christmas cards. Several people regularly buy the diaries so a stock is currently on order! If you require cards or diaries please let us know. Monica & David Jolly (816484) Greetings From Sidmouth Greetings to all at Christ Church Braunton. It is lovely to read of all the things going on at church especially hearing about the work that has been done in the hall. We look forward to seeing it when we are next in Braunton. We are recovering from a hectic but very enjoyable time with all the family together in our new home. I knew there was a reason for buying a roomy property!!! We ranged from four to eleven some nights and praise the Lord we had wall to wall dry hot sunny weather. It was lovely to meet my nine month old great nephew for the first time, such a happy little fellow. We visited lots of places sometimes on the buses and sometimes in cars, pretending to be kids again, sitting at the front of the top deck on the bus. I expect some of you will have done that, pretending to be the driver!! We are relaxing for a week s holiday on the Isle of Wight overlooking the 10

11 Solent near to Yarmouth. Harvest festival is coming along on 26th Sept. And I have duly signed up to make various eatable goodies. There was a lot of Sidmouth entertainment on while our visitors were here which were well enjoyed and included the folk week and firework display, the regatta and more fireworks, a boat trip round the bay, a visit from the Red Arrows which was spectacular against the blue sky and of course lots of delicious ice creams. We hope you had a very happy time over the summer with family and friends. It was lovely to provide hospitality to Joy and Gordon and Amos and Evelyn and we hope others of you will come and see our beautiful Sidmouth. Our love and best wishes to you all, Chris and Graham. MARWOOD Flower List for October 2nd 9th 16th 23rd 30th Mrs J. Richards Mrs H. Watts Mrs V. Chugg Mrs J. Chugg Mrs M. Thomas Our Harvest Festival Service will be on Sunday 16th October at 11am led by our minister Rev. Robert Manning. This will be a Marwood Christian Community Service. The traditional Harvest Supper will be on Tuesday 18th October at 7pm followed by a Sale of Produce. Everyone welcome. The Get-together this month will be on Thursday 13th from 11am to 12 Noon. The Church Council Meeting will be on Monday October 10th. Christine Smith (850364) Christ Church Diary for October Christian Aid Autumn Market Ladies Prayer Group Harvest Supper Holiday at Home Wednesday Club Sat 1st 10am-Noon Thu 6th 10.30am Sat 8th 6pm Tue 11th Wed 12th 2.30pm 11 Church TBC Church Hall Church Margaret Nobes

12 Church Contacts The Minister Rev. Robert Manning Christ Church Braunton Church Secretary Sue Cresswell Church Treasurer Tim Bishop Room Bookings Mary Byham Loxhore Senior Church Steward Morley Hunt Church Council Secretary Carole Delve Jubilate Contact Carole Delve Marwood Senior Church Steward Christine Smith Church Council Secretary Christine Smith Jubilate Contact Christine Smith NEWSLETTER PRODUCTION TEAM Editor: Brian Alford Tel: Next Issue: November Copy Date: Wednesday 19th October Print Date: Tuesday 25th October Distribution: Sunday 30th October Weekly Activities at Christ Church Sundays at 6.30 Distribution Team: Rosemary Kerswell Tel: Church Fellowship Group Monday 12 Noon Lunch Club Barbara Baker Tuesday 2.30 pm Women s Guild Margaret Watts Thursday 1.15 pm Toddler s Group Brenda Gray Friday 12 Noon Lunch Club Barbara Baker pm Short Mat Bowls Evelyn Cresswell